"Uwaaahhh... Flitz-saan! Don't leave me!!!"
Today was our farewell day. Haru, crying, clung to me and wouldn't let me move. She finally let go after Anna and Kushida pulled her away.
Renaldi and I were leaving for our destination by air. That's why, yesterday, we submitted a request to the Adventurers' Guild to hire a guide for this journey. The identity we gave to the guild was that of beginner merchants.
Renaldi and I had two identities: merchants and the heroes of Jatumheim. Our merchant identity was our main one, while being heroes was our hidden one. Even so, we weren't directly under Jatumheim's control.
King Cyrus said that the hero identity was only an honor and didn't make us subordinates of the Jatumheim Kingdom. He assured us that nothing would be demanded of us, and he also said that the title might be useful in the future.
I knew that was just an excuse. King Cyrus definitely wouldn't waste the chance to affiliate with us, even if it was only a nominal honor. Well, it didn't matter, as long as we could still act freely. We also owed the kingdom a debt of gratitude, and we'd be ready to help if anything happened.
Today, Haru and Kushida were also going to the Holy Kingdom for their baptism, traveling there via the warp gate.
Anna said the church wanted Haru and Kushida to be known to the public. That's why the church had prepared a parade in the capital of Jatumheim as Haru and Kushida headed toward the central warp gate. They would also be given a grand welcome in the Holy Kingdom.
After exchanging some parting words with the others, with our large bags on our backs, we finally bid them farewell.
"Well then, we'll be off to meet our escort. Haru-san! Kushida-san! We'll definitely see you off."
"Yes, take care on your journey."
"See you again."
"I pray to God for your safety."
King Cyrus and the others saw us off.
"Uwaaahhh... Flitz-saaaan."
We ignored Haru's cries and left the castle. As we turned, we saw several luxurious carriages adorned with expensive decorations trying to enter the castle grounds. It seemed they were from the church.
On our way to the Adventurers' Guild, we saw the city brimming with excitement. The people were finally able to see the heroes' faces, and of course, that made them enthusiastic.
A few minutes later, Renaldi and I arrived at a large white-painted building: the Adventurers' Guild. Inside, it was bustling with noise. I heard it got even louder at night.
We immediately reported our prior request to the receptionist (a woman). After confirming it, she guided us to a room on the second floor and told us to wait.
Not long after, the receptionist returned, bringing with her a female beastman with long ears atop her head. It seemed she was to be our guide.
She was a rabbit beastman with long white hair and blue eyes. Her tight-fitting clothes accentuated her figure, seemingly emphasizing speed.
"Let me introduce her—her name is Prilm. She's a rank C adventurer. As you can see, she's a beastman. Since she has her own reasons to go to the Beastman Kingdom, and since your final destination is also there, I chose her as the best guide for you."
After the receptionist's introduction, she left the room, letting us talk.
"Uooohh... a rabbit beastman, look Flitz! She's a rabbit!"
Renaldi whispered excitedly. Couldn't you be a little more discreet? Look! Prilm's ears twitched, so she must've heard you.
"As she said, my name is Prilm. I'll be guiding you."
"Nice to meet you, Ms Prilm! My name is Flitz, a small merchant."
"My name is Renaldi, also a small merchant. By the way, Ms Prilm, can I touch your ears?"
I slapped my forehead at Renaldi's request. As expected, Prilm refused, and Renaldi, rejected, looked empty. Fortunately, Prilm didn't seem angry at him, so you'd better be grateful, Renaldi.
Prilm asked me about the request we had made.
"I'll be guiding you, and all expenses for this journey are on you, right? Including food and lodging!"
"As stated in the contract, we'll cover all travel expenses."
"Heee... That's pretty wealthy for small merchants. I heard our journey will use an airship. Isn't that too expensive for small merchants?"
Prilm eyed us suspiciously. When she looked at Renaldi, her suspicion deepened. Well, it was indeed strange for someone with a large build like Renaldi to be a merchant—he looked more like a veteran adventurer.
"Well, whatever... As long as I get free expenses for my trip home."
Thankfully she didn't pry further. After that, we discussed our plans.
"Alright, I understand. Let's head to the receptionist to sign the contract."
We went downstairs and completed the procedures: contract duration, fees, penalties, and so on. After finishing, the three of us left the guild.
With three hours left until departure, I noticed that Prilm carried only a small pouch at her waist. So I asked her.
"Our departure is scheduled for one in the afternoon. It's only ten o'clock now. What will you do, Prilm? Do you want to get ready first? Renaldi and I are going to see the parade."
"No, my belongings are just this. I'll go see the parade with you."
"Alright then."
The three of us walked toward the city center, where people were already gathering.
**********
By noon, from the castle gates to the capital's center, people crowded shoulder to shoulder. With barricades set up by the city guards, the crowd was split in two, forming a path down the middle.
The people's faces were filled with anticipation. Today, they would finally see the heroes foretold by the great witch 400 years ago.
"LOOK!! THE CASTLE GATES ARE OPEN!!"
Someone shouted, making everyone turn their eyes toward the gates.
Flitz, Renaldi, and Prilm, among the crowd, also fixed their eyes toward the castle gate.
A little girl perched on Flitz's shoulders, holding onto his hair, asked him.
"Big brother Flitz, are we really going to see the Heroes?"
"Of course, Bisca. That's why you should cheer more when they come out, so the Heroes can see you."
"Okay, big brother Flitz."
Bisca was the daughter of the bakery owner Flitz often visited. She had brown hair styled in braids.
Since Bisca's parents were busy selling amidst the crowd, they entrusted her to Flitz when they met him. He agreed and brought her along to see the Heroes.
At that moment, several knights bearing holy insignia emerged from the castle. Behind them, a luxurious carriage followed. Cheers rose higher at the sight of it.
Inside the carriage, Haru sat staring at the floor. She looked like someone resigned to death.
"Why? Why won't he answer my call?"
"We just parted ways!!!"
Since Flitz and Renaldi had left the castle, Haru had been trying nonstop to reach Flitz using her Link Ring. But her calls were continually ignored.
Seeing Haru like this, Kushida and Anna exchanged looks and sighed. Hearing the cheers outside, Kushida opened the carriage curtain, showing herself to the people.
"There she is! The destined Hero!"
The cheers grew louder at the sight of Kushida. At first, she was startled, but soon she began waving at the crowd. Kushida recalled celebrities or officials from her previous world. So this was what it felt like to be popular.
At that moment, she spotted familiar figures and quickly urged Haru to look. Reluctantly, Haru complied.
When Haru saw who Kushida was pointing at, her eyes lit up—only to turn murderous an instant later.
"Who's that Flitz-san is carrying on his shoulders? Unbelievable, he never carried me like that. STOP! STOP THIS CARRIAGE—UGH."
Haru suddenly felt pain in her head and saw that Kushida had smacked her.
"Ugh, why did you hit me, Mio-san?"
"You're asking why? Haaa... Look carefully at who Flitz-san is carrying."
Haru took a closer look and finally realized.
"Bisca-chan? Haa... What the— I thought it was someone else! Turns out it's just Bisca-chan."
After saying that, Haru waved in their direction.
At the same time, when Bisca finally saw the Heroes, she was shocked at who they were. It was big sis Haru and big sis Kushida. She had sometimes interacted with them in town. Who would have thought the people she often talked to were actually Heroes?
Wait! Bisca suddenly remembered something. Weren't big sis Haru and big sis Kushida close friends of big brother Flitz? They had said they were from the same hometown.
Bisca recalled the adults at her bakery saying the Heroes came from another world. In the capital, there were six of them, and two were to be shown in today's parade.
Though only ten years old, Bisca was very smart. Piecing together her knowledge, she reached an astonishing conclusion.
She looked down at Flitz carrying her, and when Flitz looked up, he smiled and pressed a finger to his lips as a sign to stay quiet.
"Shhh."
With that gesture, it was clear Flitz knew what she was thinking, confirming her speculation.
Wide-eyed, Bisca covered her mouth, struggling to hold back a shout.
Flitz nodded at her, thinking the child was truly clever. Then he turned his gaze back to the luxurious carriage and noticed Haru glaring at him while channeling mana into the ring on her finger. Seeing this, Flitz frowned. He could feel mana flowing from the necklace linked to his Link Ring.
Flitz shook his head at Haru as a sign of refusal. Seeing that, Haru's face turned desperate as she mouthed something. Judging from her lips, she was shouting, but unfortunately, Flitz couldn't hear it over the people's cheers.